1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 328 The King's Seal

Chapter 328 The King's Seal

The next morning, Constantine got up very early. After breakfast, he did not deal with the mountain of official business, but went directly to King George I's study.

The father and son had a private conversation about the future of Greece.

The study's doors and windows were tightly shut, and heavy curtains blocked out all outside noise. Constantine stood before his father's desk and gave a detailed account of all the behind-the-scenes deals from the London negotiations that couldn't be discussed in public.

From how to exploit the greed and stupidity of Russian military attaché Vasily Orlov, to how to meticulously plan that "chance encounter" in the club; from how to forge that convincing "Russian-Greek secret agreement," to the final showdown with the Marquess of Salisbury in the study at Downing Street.

He spoke calmly, as if recounting something unrelated to himself. But every word was like a bullet, piercing George I's ears.

The old king listened quietly, his expression shifting from initial shock to disbelief, and finally to profound awe. He leaned back in his large chair, his hands clasped on the table, saying nothing.

After Constantine uttered the last word, a long silence fell over the study. Only the hands of the old-fashioned clock ticked monotonously and clearly.

George I raised his head, re-examining his son. Constantine stood tall and composed, his blue eyes gleaming with a unfathomable light he had never seen before. This was no longer a crown prince requiring his constant guidance or paving the way for him. This was a future monarch whose wings had fully grown, whose intellect and methods far surpassed his own, capable of facing any storm alone.

A mixture of relief, pride, and a barely perceptible sense of estrangement rose in the old king's heart. He suddenly realized that he could no longer understand his son.

Constantine didn't wait for his father's praise or evaluation. He knew that actions speak louder than words. He took another document from his leather briefcase and presented it to his father with both hands.

"Father, the diplomatic victory is just the beginning. We must seize this precious opportunity to carry out comprehensive industrial reforms." His voice was calm yet powerful. "For this, I hope you can grant me greater authority, especially in financial transfers and personnel appointments in key departments. I need to be free to implement my plans."

This demand was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. It was no longer a simple request, but a direct attack on the core of monarchical power.

George I's expression instantly turned serious. He didn't look at the document, his sharp gaze fixed directly into Constantine's eyes.

"Konnie, you gambled big and won Crete back for Greece. But how can you guarantee that your 'advanced' ideas won't lead us into an even deeper disaster?"

The king's question was exactly what Constantine had expected.

"I cannot guarantee that," Constantine replied frankly. "Any reform comes with risks. But I can show you my first step, so you can see that all my plans are based on prudence and controllability."

He moved the document closer to the king.

"This is my detailed plan for establishing a Royal Industrial Development Committee. Please take a look."

""

George I finally turned his attention to the document. He picked it up, put on his reading glasses, and began to read it carefully.

The plan was written in great detail, with clear logic and interconnected steps.

The committee will be chaired by Crown Prince Constantine himself. Its members will include elites from various sectors, including finance, military, and education. The committee's power will be independent of the existing cabinet and directly accountable to the King.

The first phase of the plan is not about large-scale construction or blindly building factories. Instead, it is about holding a global invention competition called the "Athena Mechanical Innovation Award".

The competition will offer huge prizes to attract the world's top inventors and engineers to Athens, bringing their most advanced technologies and designs. The competition will be judged on only one criterion—practicality.

At the end of the plan, Constantine succinctly explained the ultimate goal: to select, import, or even directly purchase the most critical core technologies of the Second Industrial Revolution for Greece at the lowest cost and in the shortest time. This was far more efficient than exploring from scratch.

George I turned the pages one by one. His breathing gradually became steady. What he saw in this plan was not the rashness and fanaticism of a young man, but the deep thinking and meticulous planning of a mature politician.

When he finished reading the last word, he put down the document and took off his reading glasses.

He remained silent for a long time, and then slowly nodded.

"Alright, Connie." The old king's voice carried a hint of relief, but also a solemn entrustment. "I'm giving you this power."

He pulled open the middle drawer of his desk and took out a seal cast in brass and engraved with a double-headed eagle emblem. This seal did not represent royal power itself, but it represented the king's supreme authorization. The holder of this seal commanded orders equivalent to the king's personal presence.

George I placed the heavy seal on the table and pushed it in front of Constantine.

"Go do it," he said, looking into his son's eyes, each word distinct. "Let me see what kind of future you can bring to Greece."

Constantine reached out and grasped the seal, which still held the warmth of the king's body.

This was an unspoken rehearsal of power.

From this moment on, the helm of this ancient Greek warship has quietly changed hands.